Program objectives

apply analytical, critical and creative thinking to professional
practice and profession-based applications;

coherently integrate, examine and apply a complex, contemporary
body of knowledge across relevant disciplines to address capacity
building, professional practice and promote innovation;

assess and manage complex ethical concerns in professional studies
research and related professional practice;

develop a professional studies research project plan and outcomes
that integrate contemporary theory and professional practice, while
illustrating advance knowledge of research principles and methods
applicable to the field of work and learning skills;

coherently evaluate, analyse and report the results of the implemented
research project that contributes to professional practice and scholarship.

Program aims

The aim of this program is to provide experienced professionals
with the opportunities to demonstrate, autonomously and creatively
the application of knowledge and skills in research, their professional
practice and further learning. Creativity and initiative are encouraged
in engaging issues that are relevant and meaningful to their professional
practice and workplace challenges, helping to build the capacity and
resilience of the student’s organisations/communities and contribute
to their self-directed learning and career development.

Australian
Qualifications Framework

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a single national,
comprehensive system of qualifications offered by higher education
institutions (including universities), vocational education and training
institutions and secondary schools. Each AQF qualification has a
set of descriptors which define the type and complexity of knowledge,
skills and application of knowledge and skills that a graduate who
has been awarded that qualification has attained, and the typical
volume of learning associated with that qualification type.

This program is at AQF Qualification Level 09. Graduates at this level will have specialised knowledge and skills for research, and/or professional practice and/or further learning.

The full set of levels criteria and qualification type descriptors
can be found by visiting www.aqf.edu.au.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

Completion of an Australian university Bachelor degree or equivalent,
and

A minimum of five years' work experience in the chosen field
of professional practice.

English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 3.

Admission to the Master of Professional Studies (Research) is
by completed online application and interview.Anyone wishing
to gain entry to the program on the basis of equivalent qualifications
and/or experience should contact the University for consideration
for admission on this basis.

If students do not meet the English language requirements they
may apply to study a University-approved English language program. On successful completion of the
English language program, students may be admitted to an award program.

Program fees

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through
the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the
courses that are taken. Students are able to calculate the fees for
a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their
fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP provided they meet the residency and citizenship
requirements.

Australian citizens, Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent
Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who will be resident
outside Australia for the duration of their program pay full tuition
fees and are not eligible for FEE-Help.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending
on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus,
via distance education/online. Students are able to calculate the
fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Research Training Program (RTP) - Fees Offset scheme

All Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and
New Zealand citizens commencing a Higher Degree by Research (HDR)
program will have their tuition fees paid by the Australian Commonwealth
Government under the Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset scheme.
The RTP Fees Offset scheme covers program fees for an HDR student
up to a maximum period of four years for full-time study or up to
eight years part-time study for a Doctoral program, and up to a maximum
period of two years for full-time or four years part-time for a Masters
by Research program. As part of the enrolment process, students
are required to submit proof of citizenship or permanent residency
status and transcripts of all previous academic study. This documentation
enables the University of Southern Queensland to determine eligibility
for an RTP Fees Offset place.

If a student's RTP Fees Offset entitlement expires before completion
of the program, the student will be required to pay full tuition fees.

Students eligible for an RTP Fees Offset place are those who:

have not used RTP Fees Offset funding in the previous three
years; or

have already used RTP Fees Offset funding and have successfully
completed an HDR program. Once a student completes an HDR program,
full entitlements of RTP Fees Offset are restored.

The Australian Commonwealth Government’s contribution
to program fees must be acknowledged on all published material relating
to a research project via a statement identifying the support received
through the RTP Fees Offset scheme.

Program structure

The Master of Professional Studies (Research) is a 12-unit program.
The core courses are made up of i) a foundational course, ii) recurring
enrolment research project courses and a iii) publishable paper course.

Program completion requirements

To graduate from the Master of Professional Studies (Research),
a candidate must complete a minimum of twelve course units comprising
no less than the completion of the core course WRP9012 Fundamentals of Professional Studies . Students are required
to compile a final master’s dissertation (minimum of 15,000
words including artefacts developed in the WRP9012 Fundamentals of Professional Studies course and generated
from the work-based project) or equivalent body of work for final
examination by independent examiners. Students electing to complete
a further work-based project, WRP9013 Professional Studies Research Project 2, are required to compile a final master’s
dissertation (minimum 25,000 words including relevant artefacts developed
in the WRP9012 Fundamentals of Professional Studies course and generated from the work-based projects) or equivalent
body of work for final examination by independent examiners.

Required time limits

IT requirements

Computer literacy is now expected as part of professional life,
and as an integral element in the studying and learning process. Many
courses make use of the Internet through online discussion groups
and course web pages. Students must have reliable and ready access
to e-mail and the internet. Broadband access would be a significant
advantage.

Exit points

The exit point for students who do not complete the requirements
of the Master of Professional Studies (Research) is the Graduate Certificate of Professional Studies. Students will be eligible
for this award if, whilst enrolled in the Master of Professional Studies
(Research) they have enrolled and successfully completed at least
4 units at USQ.

A student enrolled in the Master of Professional Studies (Research)
who wishes to exit without completing the program may, on the basis
of outstanding performance, seek to transfer to the Doctor of Professional Studiesprogram. To be eligible
students will have:

A transfer will involve an extension of the scope of the existing
approved Master of Professional Studies (Research) project. As a result,
a recommendation may be made to the University with respect to articulation
to the Doctor of Professional Studiesprogram
with credit being given for the 8 units successfully undertaken within
the Master of Professional Studies (Research).